THE DWFC WELCOMES

26 SEMINARIANS

FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR 2010-2011

Today the whole Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. Both were martyred in Rome in the first century. They tirelessly worked for the spread of the gospel, not only to the people of Israel, but to all the nations as well. They risked their lives in the process and gladly poured out their blood in loyalty to their Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul so eloquently stated in his second epistle to Timothy, they courageously fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

HAPPY 35TH ANNIV APO JACK

This day too the whole diocese of Urdaneta joins our Shepherd Bishop Jacinto “Jack” A. Jose, DD as he celebrates his 35th anniversary of priestly ordination. The academic community of the Divine Word College of Urdaneta with the SVD and seminarians of the Divine Word Formation Center express our heartfelt gratitude to our dear Bishop Jack for his fatherly support to us through the years. We assure you of our sincerest prayers dear Bishop for God’s choicest blessings upon you today on your anniversary and the years to come. You are a priest forever!

Happy Sacerdotal Anniversary from all of us at the DWFC and the DWCU!

The Divine Word Formation Center celebrating today’s events of our faith introduces the seminarians for this school year 2010-2011. We warmly welcome them to the Divine Word College of Urdaneta. Ms. Marites Naniong of the Office of the President prepared the DWFC DIRECTORY 2010-2011:

DWCU PRES ELECTED AS

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

OF CEAP

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines of Region 1 recently held the Biennial Regional Assembly at the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary in Baguio City last June 19, 2010 with the theme: “A Heart for Eden, A Hand at Ecology”. The DWCU being an active member sent four representatives to attend the said assembly headed by the Fr. President. Mrs. Julie M. Bernabe the registrar, Mrs. Marissa S. Tabar our Human Resource Management Officer and Dr. Trofima Pangonilo our Research and Extension Services Officer comprised the DWCU delegation.

This year the CEAP region 1 focused its concern on Ecology as reflected by the theme of the assembly. The main sharing was on Earth Education by the staff of the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary that includes a “Cosmic Journey” around the Ecological Sanctuary. The same concern will be brought to the 2010 CEAP National Convention in Cebu City this coming September 22-24 at the Waterfront Hotel. The convention then will have concurrent sessions related to environment and ecology, sustainable development, national education reform agenda, school administration and management and curricular offerings. The newly elected Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will be invited to speak about his National Agenda for Education. Keynote speakers from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and the United Nations will also take part in this event.

One of the objectives of the regional assembly was to elect the new set of officers and members of the regional board of directors. Here then is the result of the election:

DWCU HONORS

MR. SIXTO LOPEZ

AS HE RETIRES AFTER

28 YEARS OF DEVOTED TEACHING MISSION

The “Red Mass” that bears the thanksgiving intention of Mr. Sixto Lopez provided an impetus in the sharing of God’s bounty in a table prepared by those who cared much for him: the whole faculty of the High School Department whom he regarded through the years as his family. This whole family invited everybody in the rank and file of this only Catholic college in the Diocese of Urdaneta. It was like a biblical experience on the multiplication of the bread. What little everyone contributed from the heart was blessed and was multiplied of which surplus was remained untold to date. The table was indeed overflowing, a manifestation of the overflowing love of this community to the honoree Mr. Sixto Lopez a teacher for life.

THE EMCEE WITH FEELINGS

The simple but meaningful AGAPE flowed towards the St. Michael’s Gymnasium where all of the guests, students, seminarians, teachers, professors, non-academic personnel, administrators and SVDs were gleefully gathered for a Farewell Program in honor of the equally most beloved “Tito Lits” of the whole campus. Thunderous clapping of hands filled the whole gymnasium for sometime when the master of ceremonies Ms. Analyn G. Cruz announced over the microphone that the program was about to begin. The whole program followed this sequence:

I. Dances – Students

Telephone – First Year

Mambo 5 – Second Year

Rico Mambo – Third Year

Body Body Dance – Fourth Year

THE FAVORITE DANCE OF MR. LOPEZ

The students rendered their part dancing the favorite beats and movements of Mr. Lopez refreshing his youthful days of teaching. It was that summer of 1982 the year before the assassination of Sen. Benigno Aquino when Mr. Lopez applied for a teaching position at then Divine Word Academy of Urdaneta. His teaching mission witnessed the administration of five Philippine Presidents: President Ferdinand Marcos, President Corazon Aquino, President Joseph Estrada, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and now in his retirement the proclamation of the President Elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

II. Song Number – Administration/Faculty/Staff

Ocean Deep

First of May

While the students reviewed the dances, the Administration, Faculty and Staff rendered a “hit back” of the favorite sounds, songs and music of the honoree that started with the “Ocean Deep”. Remembering those happy memories with Mr. Lopez refreshed by the song, one by one slowly felt misty eyed. Some copies of the song went wet brought about by those crystal liquid that fell witnessing how they love and care their beloved “Tito”.

III. Skit – High School Faculty

The favorite skit-drama was performed by selected faculty members depicting the humor and light attitude of Mr. Lopez in the classrooms, faculty room and around the campus.

IV. Testimonies

Mrs. Emma Tabobo

Mr. Louise Lorian

Mr. Reynald Mamasig

Mr. John Ramos

Mrs. Myra Alver

Colleagues closest to the heart of the honoree rendered their testimonies on how they treasured their beautiful experiences with him. Saying goodbye to a good friend is not easy, much more saying “adeu” to a teacher – a molder of character, wisdom, soul and ones future.

V. Message – Fr. Dominador O. Ramos, SVD

The President of DWCU expressed his heartfelt gratitude in behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Members of the DWCU Corporation, the Divine Word Missionaries of the Northern Philippine Province, the Administrators, Faculty members, Non-academic personnel, parents and students of the Divine Word College of Urdaneta for the highly commendable 28 years of faithful service of Mr. Sixto Lopez to this institution.

VI. Response – Mr. Sixto Lopez

The honoree coming up the stage for his response did not stay long at the podium. Words were not enough to express how he felt and how grateful he was being at the Divine Word College of Urdaneta. He summed up everything when he said: “You are all nearest to my heart.” “Thank you very much”.

VII. Farewell Song / Flower Offering / Gift Offering

Farewell to You My Friend

For He is a Jolly Good Fellow

For the last time, the Administrators, Faculty and Staff went up to the stage to render the final homage to the honoree singing together out of their hearts: “Farewell to You My Friend” offering flowers and gifts as an expression of deep feelings of love and gratitude to “Tito Lits”. Indeed the last song provided the synthesis of our coming together for our beloved teacher-retiree…”For He is A Jolly Good Fellow”.

Fr. Abraham Ronald Borja, SVD

Missionary to Taiwan

Celebrated the Mass to the Holy Spirit

THE "RED MASS" 2010-2011

The Divine Word College of Urdaneta academic community gathered together again for a triple celebration last Friday June 18, 2010 at the St. Michael’s Gymnasium with the College Department as the sponsor headed by Dean Leonida Javillo. The Seminarians of the Divine Word Formation Center together with selected college students served as the choir with Fr. Servasius W. Tethun, SVD the Campus Minister at the baton.

OPENING OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR: It has been the tradition of this Catholic Institution to celebrate the opening Eucharist in honor of the Holy Spirit for every new school year. All Divine Word institutions such as the DWCU termed this celebration as the “Red Mass” as the liturgical color is red being the color of the fire of the Holy Spirit. This beautiful devotion to the Holy Spirit is our legacy from our beloved father founder St. Arnold Janssen. The Holy Spirit is the source of wisdom and understanding. He guides us in our academic journey as He inspires us to make our dreams come true. It is our prayer to the Holy Spirit that this new school year 2010-2011 indeed be showered with His seven-fold gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.

Fr. Abraham Borja, SVD

THANKSGIVING MASS OF FR. ABRAHAM: Another unique and special practice of the DWCU is to invite newly ordained priests who come from the DWFC – DWCU to celebrate with us during the opening of the new school year their Mass of Thanksgiving for the gift of ordination. We are blessed this year with Fr. Abraham Ronald Borja, SVD who was ordained last December 5, 2009 with the MARAMISA CLASS in Tagaytay City. He was one among the seven who were ordained last year. Fr. Borja comes from Bangued, Abra who for two years studied here at the Divine Word College of Urdaneta before proceeding to the Christ the King Seminary in Quezon City and finally at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay. Fr. Borja is assigned as missionary to China. We assure him of our prayers in his life and mission as we pray for more vocations to the priesthood.

Mr. Sixto Lopez

THANKSGIVING MASS OF A RETIREE: Mr. Sixto Lopez, a faculty member of the High School Department of DWCU offered in this mass his thanksgiving to the Lord for the privilege of serving the Divine Word College of Urdaneta for 28 fruitful, meaningful and memorable years of his life as a teacher. Mr. Lopez together with his family prayerfully lifted up their intentions thanking the Lord for those 28 precious years of teaching which have come to a close and for His Divine blessings as he opens another chapter of his life. The whole academic community of the DWCU expressed their gratitude to the honoree with a meaningful Tribute-Program prepared by the faculty and students of the High School Department with the principal Mrs. Marlyn Laroco. (A Separate Write-up and Tribute for Mr. Sixto Lopez will be posted soon in this website.)

The said triple celebration ushered the formal welcoming of the new and old students, faculty and non-academic employees by the President where the heads of the different departments presented the roster list of faculty and non-academic employees. Fr. Abraham Borja led their renewal of commitment as the students was led by Mr. Michael Bernardino of the College Department. The blessing of the bibles and solemn enthronement ended the said triple celebration.

THE DWCU SUCCESSFULLY CONVENED

THE 3RD CAMPUS PASTORAL ASSEMBLY

The Bishop with Fr. Rector

The Annual Retreat and Function of the Faculty and Non-Academic Personnel of the DWCU paved the way towards the Third Campus Pastoral Assembly convened last June 3-4 at the Holy Spirit Chapel with no less than the Bishop of the Diocese of Urdaneta Most Rev. Jacinto A. Jose, DD as the Keynote Speaker. His Excellency dealt with the identity and mission of this noble institution as the only Catholic College in the entire diocese. The Bishop was grateful for the SVD presence in this local church when he gave emphasis to the magnanimous role of the teachers and faculty in molding and forming the students into value oriented members of the society and the church. The Bishop inspired the academic community of their noble vocation as formators of the young. The Keynote Speaker then led the whole assembly towards the theme: “RENEWED BY YOUR GRACE” celebrating the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the foundation of the Diocese of Urdaneta. The theme spirited and penetrated the whole assembly as the guiding light towards the realization of the rationale, objectives and goals of the said Pastoral Assembly.

COMMITTEE ON BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE

The DWCU General Assembly is a yearly event focused on the administrative and supervisory concerns aiming at smooth head start of every new school year. This year the academic community resolved to give priority to the pastoral concerns in observance of the silver jubilee of the diocese with the recent launching of the Diocesan Integrated Pastoral Plan (DIPP). The assembly aims to realign the pastoral priorities with the four characteristic dimensions of the Divine Word Missionaries around the globe namely: 1.) Biblical Apostolate (BA), 2.) Mission Animation, 3.) Communication and 4.) Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation (JPIC). These four dimensions will carry out the four core values defined by the Divine Word Educational Association (DWEA): Integrity, Social Responsibility, Excellence and Evangelization to be the distinguishing mark of every Divine Word school, college and university throughout the land.

COMMITTEE ON MISSION ANIMATION

The whole academic community inspired by the message of the Keynote speaker worked hard hand in hand; teachers, faculty, professors, non-academic personnel, administrators and the SVD fathers labored together in coming out with the 5-Year Campus Pastoral Plan reflecting on the present realities within the community and the whole campus, making these realities as the springboard towards harmonious relationship. The whole group was divided into four major committees that went into workshop plotting the Objectives, Activities, Strategies, Resources, Time Frame and Expected Output of their assigned characteristic dimension. With the guidance of the Transcendent all the

COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATION

members worked together harmoniously as they all enjoyed the product of their efforts. The output then was reported to the plenum of which after critiquing and scrutiny the whole body in principle approved the 5-Year Campus Pastoral Plan. The 3rd Campus Pastoral Assembly ended with a Thanksgiving Mass together with all the seminarians of the Divine Word Formation Center. An AGAPE was shared together celebrating the success of the assembly.

THE FACULTY & NON-ACADEMIC EMPLOYEES OF THE DWCU TOOK THEIR ANNUAL RETREAT AND FUNCTION IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR 2010-2011

THE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL TOUR - LINGAYEN

The Divine Word College of Urdaneta as an institution with a universal mission being the only Catholic Institution of Higher Learning in the Diocese and as Witness to the Word, faithfully took care the continuous professionalization and spiritual formation of the faculty, non-academic personnel and administrators by organizing their annual retreat and function last May 26-28, 2010. The annual retreat and function started with an Educational Tour around Lingayen particularly the grandiose and impressively magnificent Provincial Capitol of Pangasinan. The provincial government provided the group with an air-conditioned tourist bus and a guide in touring around the provincial capitol complex starting from the historical sites, the provincial offices, the official residence of the Governor the famous Urduja Palace and other places of interest around Lingayen.

THE BLESSING PRAYER DANCE CULMINATING THE RETREAT

The spiritual retreat of the Faculty and Non-academic personnel this year was held at the Archdiocesan Lay Formation Center of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan located at the neighboring compound of the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City. Fr. Oscar Alunday, SVD of the Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA-CBCP) and Ms. Tita Azurin a lay missionary from Legazpi City served as resource persons and retreat guides using the AJS – Arnold Jannsen Spirituality module using Bibliodrama Elements. The participants enjoyed very much being spiritually recharged and physically well nourished by the administration and staff of the Archdiocesan Lay Formation Center headed by Fr. Mario Sanchez the director.

THE FIRST BATCH WITH FR. ALUNDAY AT THE STERN

Celebrating the success of the retreat, the participants at dawn before the rising of the sun, like the first witnesses of the resurrection walked toward the shore where the calmness of the sea greeted them. Fr. Oscar was the first to test the waters followed by some water enthusiasts. When the first rays of the morning sun lighted the horizon, boatmen came offering a ride and a tour around the Bangus Island. Two boats were filled one after the other with excited passengers ready to explore the hidden treasures of the South China Sea within the bounds of Lingayen Gulf. The boating-tour lighted up each one like a spark plug setting and maintaining the high mood for the whole duration of the function by the sea.

The SVD Fathers led by the rector himself Fr. Bernard Teneza, SVD with Fr. Jess del Rosario, SVD, Fr. Servas Tethun, SVD, Fr. Noel Ferrer, SVD together with the maintenance staff joined the whole group in celebrating the unity and camaraderie of this one happy Divinian Family.